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Can Therapy Help Me?
A person with Parkinson's who answers yes to any of these questions should obtain a referral from his or her doctor for the appropriate therapist. The patient should check with the insurance company to ensure coverage and make an appointment with a therapist who is knowledgeable about Parkinson's.
Physical Therapy
- Do you experience difficulties with moving in bed or getting out of a chair?
- Do you feel unsteady while standing, walking, or turning?
- Are you stopping yourself from being more active because you feel unsteady?
- Is it difficult for you to catch your balance?
- Have you fallen or have you experienced great difficulty in getting up from the floor?
- Do your feet tend to stutter or stick to the ground?
- Do you want to learn how to stay in optimal shape?
Occupational Therapy
- Are you having problems with your handwriting?
- Do you have trouble using utensils when eating?
- Do you have difficulty or require assistance with bathing or dressing?
- Are you fearful or unsteady when stepping in or out of your tub or getting on or off your toilet?
- Have you had any falls in your home?
- Do you have difficulty engaging in your favorite leisure activities or hobbies?
Speech Therapy
- Have you had recurring pneumonia or chest congestion?
- Do you cough or clear your throat when you are eating?
- Do you feel food or pills getting stuck in your throat?
- Do you have problems with drooling?
- Do you require extra time to eat, or does food get stuck in your mouth or cheeks?
- Do people ask you to repeat yourself or speak up?
- Have you noticed that you are mumbling, have a soft voice, or speak in monotone?
- Have you noticed problems with your memory?
- Do you have trouble concentrating?
From M. Boelen, 2009, Health Professionals' Guide to Physical Management of Parkinson's Disease (Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics). Reprinted, by permission, from J. Holt.
